The Cochrane Collaboration, an institute that promotes evidence based medicine, conducted a review of studies that concerned methods of killing dust mites. Since these tiny arthropods produce allergens that can trigger asthma and allergic symptoms, there are a number of products for sale that claim to kill dust mites. The new study, though, seems to indicate that all these methods are not particularly helpful in actually helping asthmatics.
Mattress protectors, specialist cleaners, high-efficiency vacuum cleaners and air filters were among the products tested..
Thirty-six trials assessed physical methods, such as mattress casings, 10 chemical methods, and eight a combination of chemical and physical methods.
The products were largely ineffective, but the team did find mite reduction occurred in 17 trials although it was judged not significant enough to help ward off asthma.
Lead author Dr Peter Gotzsche said: “We can conclude with confidence that there is no need to buy expensive vacuum cleaners or mattress covers or to use chemical methods against house dust mites because these treatments do not work.
More at the BBC…
Image credit: Ethan Hein: Dust mites on a bedsheet